
How Tall Will a Gala Apple Grow?
- Dwarf and Semi-Dwarf Varieties. Unless you have ample property space, the dwarf and semi-dwarf Gala apple trees offer manageable sizes for the same fruit cultivation in limited areas.
- Standard Trees. Gardeners looking for the quintessential Gala apple cultivar should prepare for a minimum tree height of 20 feet.
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How much space does a gala tree need to grow?
The amount of garden space you’ll need for the tree depends on which version you pick. The standard Gala grows to 25 feet (8.5 m.) tall with a similar spread, the semi-dwarf is about half that tall, while a dwarf stays about 10 feet (3 m.) tall and wide.
Where do Gala apple trees grow?
The gala apple can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 4–9. View Map The standard early harvest apple tree grows to a height of 20–25' and a spread of around 25' at maturity.
Do Gala apples need full sun to grow?
Gala apples need full sunlight daily to grow tall and generate ample fruits. Competing plants residing near the Gala hinders its height as well. In particular, grasses growing up to the apple tree's trunk steal necessary moisture and soil nutrients from the tree, especially if it is still a sapling.
How big do apple trees grow?
The standard early harvest apple tree grows to a height of 20–25' and a spread of around 25' at maturity. The semi-dwarf variety grows to a height of 12–15' with a spread of 12–15'. The dwarf variety grows to a height of about 10' with a spread of about 10'.

How much space does a Gala apple tree need?
Plant your Gala Apple tree at least 15 feet from other trees and your home to give them plenty of room to grow.
How long does it take for a Gala apple tree to produce fruit?
Gala Apple Tree at a GlanceGala Apple TreeFactsHarvest TimeLate summer to autumnYears To Produce2 – 5 yearsCommon PestsCodling moth, mites & aphidsPossible DiseasesFire blight and mildew11 more rows
Do Gala apples need two trees?
Gala trees are self-fertile, which means that they set fruit without another apple variety nearby for cross-pollination. However, according to Orange Pippin Fruit Trees, to ensure greater fruit production, it's wise to plant another variety of apple that blossoms at the same time as 'Gala' for cross-pollination.
How long do Gala apple trees live?
Average Life Span of Popular Apple TreesApple Tree VarietyAverage Life SpanGala25 to 40 yearsDwarf Gala15 to 20 yearsFuji35 to 50 yearsDwarf Fuji15 to 25 years6 more rows
Will 2 Gala apple trees pollinate each other?
You will need a different variety to pollinate your Gala tree. Two varieties of the same apple will not cross-pollinate.
Are Gala apple trees hard to grow?
Growing a Gala Apple Tree It thrives in the middle zones, USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. When planting a Gala apple tree, find a site that gets full, direct sun. It needs at least six hours of unfiltered sun per day. Excellent drainage is equally important so provide it with moist, well-drained soil.
What apple tree pollinates with Gala?
Pollination Requirements: Apples need another variety nearby for pollination. Neighboring trees often offer sufficient pollen for good fruit set. Red and Golden Delicious cultivars are particularly effective pollinizers of Gala.
What should you not plant with an apple tree?
ResourcesApple trees and grass are not exactly good companion plants.CHIVES. Well let's just assume that the variety of apples you wanted is more susceptible to apple scab; chives can take care of that. ... DAFFODIL. These also get planted in a ring around the tree. ... CURRANTS. ... STRAWBERRY. ... LEMON BALM. ... PEA VINES & BEANS. ... DANDELION.
What trees pollinate a Gala apple tree?
It is a self fertile apple tree but with other apple trees nearby to help cross pollinate it will provide greater yield and more fruit! The best varieties for cross pollination are Red Delicious or Granny Smith. Gala Apple tree diseases may include apple scab, fire blight, or powdery mildew.
How do you prune a Gala apple tree?
Right after planting the tree, cut it off to a short stick 24 to 30 inches high (1/4 inch above a bud or branch) and cut any side shoots remaining below that to one bud. This encourages low branching and equalizes the top and root system. Generally, prune when the leaves are off (when the tree is dormant).
How old is a 7 foot apple tree?
If your "Fuji" apple tree is 7 feet tall, you can use the following calculation to estimate that the tree is between 3.5 and 6.5 years old. Multiply 7 feet by 12 inches to find that the tree is 84 inches tall. Divide 84 inches by 13 inches, the minimum growth per year, to calculate the age at 6.5 years.
How often should you prune apple trees?
Apple and pear trees trained as free-standing bushes are best pruned every winter to ensure a good cycle of fruiting wood. Trees that are not pruned become less productive and congested with old branches. The aim is to create an open goblet shape with a framework of four to five main branches.
What will pollinate a Gala apple tree?
Pollination Requirements: Apples need another variety nearby for pollination. Neighboring trees often offer sufficient pollen for good fruit set. Red and Golden Delicious cultivars are particularly effective pollinizers of Gala. Consider Mason Bees to help pollinate and increase fruit production.
Do you need 2 apple trees to produce fruit?
Most apple varieties do not pollinate themselves or any flowers of the same apple variety; this requires planting at least two different apple tree varieties close to one another so that the bees can pollinate. (There are actually some self-pollinating apple tree varieties if you are really short on space.
What is the fastest fruit bearing tree?
Plum trees not only have delicious fruit, they also produce spring blossom that looks pretty and helps wildlife. 'Plum trees are the fastest growing fruit trees,' says Karim Habibi, co-owner of Keepers Fruit Nursery (opens in new tab) in Kent.
How do I know if my apple tree will bear fruit?
The blooms are key to apple production. If your tree doesn't have many blossoms or they don't stay on the tree for at least 10 days, your might not have many apples. The blossoms must be cross-pollinated by another variety of apple tree, or by a crabapple tree, to produce viable fruit.
How tall do Gala apple trees grow?
Dwarf varieties work well in smaller yards, as these miniature trees only grow to approximately 10 feet tall. For slightly larger yards, the semi-dwarf Gala grows to 15-feet tall.
How tall do dwarf gala trees get?
Dwarf varieties work well in smaller yards, as these miniature trees only grow to approximately 10 feet tall. For slightly larger yards, the semi-dwarf Gala grows to 15-feet tall.
How to grow Gala apples?
In particular, grasses growing up to the apple tree's trunk steal necessary moisture and soil nutrients from the tree, especially if it is still a sapling. By removing surrounding plants and weeds, you give the tree a chance to spread its roots into open ground without having to struggle for resources. However, if you want successful pollination for juicy fruits, the Gala tree requires a different apple tree nearby for cross-pollination, such as a "Red Delicious." Optimum moisture and nutrients helps the Gala grow to its ideal height while encouraging healthy amounts of photosynthesis.
How does lack of light affect Gala trees?
Lack of light dramatically reduces the maximum growing height for each Gala cultivar. If you have other trees or building structures within the yard shading the Gala, its photosynthesizing abilities are greatly impeded. Reduced light across the leaves' chlorophyll cells stops a large amount of energy production for foliage, limb and root growth. As a result, the Gala grows slower and will not reach the height indicated by its rootstock. Gala apples need full sunlight daily to grow tall and generate ample fruits.
What is the taste of Gala Apple?
With a slightly softer red tone to its skin than a "Red Delicious" apple cultivar, the Gala apple (Malus x domestica) offers a sweet taste when picked directly off the tree. Gardeners with limited space often debate about planting these types of fruit trees, since one large tree takes over an entire yard if the conditions are right.
How big is Malus x domestica?
Known under the main apple scientific name of Malus x domestica, this tree's future spread potential is actually larger than the tree's height, with limbs and foliage extending to a maximum spread of 22 feet.
Why do Gala apples grow slower?
Reduced light across the leaves' chlorophyll cells stops a large amount of energy production for foliage , limb and root growth. As a result, the Gala grows slower and will not reach the height indicated by its rootstock. Gala apples need full sunlight daily to grow tall and generate ample fruits.
How big do apple trees get?
Mature Size. The standard early harvest apple tree grows to a height of 20–25' and a spread of around 25' at maturity. The semi-dwarf variety grows to a height of 12–15' with a spread of 12–15'. The dwarf variety grows to a height of about 10' with a spread of about 10'.
Is apple tree drought tolerant?
The early harvest apple grows well in moist, well-drained soil. It is not drought-tolerant.
How tall do apple trees grow?
Our dwarf apple trees are grafted for a more controlled size. Most dwarf trees maintain heights of between 10 to 15 feet, which make them easier for fitting into small landscapes and easily picking fruit.
How big do apple trees get?
Apple tree sizes. Apple trees come in many different sizes, from full-size trees to dwarf trees that grow 8-10 feet tall . You'll want to evaluate the size of your planting area to determine what apple variety is best - and remember, in most cases, you'll want to leave room for at least two apple trees, if not more.
What types of apple trees should you plant?
Ideally, your apple orchard (no matter how big or small it is) will be in production for many years. In order to protect your investment and bear fruit, it’s important to choose the right apple trees to suit your needs and climate.
Where should apple trees be planted?
The best spot is typically on the north side of a house or treeline.
How are apple trees pollinated for fruit?
Most apple trees are not self-fertile - that means they need pollen from another apple or related tree in order to bear fruit. One of the main causes of reduced crops is poor pollination, so your trees will benefit greatly and bear more fruit when you cross-pollinate.
How many varieties of apples are there?
There are more than 8,000 different varieties of apples. Most are bred for their taste and utilitarian use, including cooking and cider production.
Why do apples have so few blossoms?
Apple trees can have good and bad years. This is another good reason to have more than one tree, even if your tree is self-fertile. At times, a tree may have very few blossoms, even when the spring weather is good. This can often be caused by incorrect pruning during the previous summer.
How big can an apple tree grow?
It might seem obvious, but make sure that the apple tree that you choose will fit in your yard! While some varieties hit a maximum of about 15 feet, others can get much larger. This also depends on whether you buy a standard sized tree, a dwarf variety, or a semi-dwarf.
How tall are dwarf apple trees?
Dwarf trees are a popular choice for home gardens. These trees are about 50 percent as tall as standard apple trees, so they may be between 8 and 15 feet tall at full maturity. Semi-dw a rf trees are about 80 percent as large as standard apple trees.
What to consider when picking an apple tree?
As a beginner, you may want to choose apple varieties that are hardier and produce fruit more quickly. However, there are a few other things to consider as well.
What to know before planting an apple tree?
Before you choose an apple tree variety to plant, research to find out if it is self-fertile or needs a cross-pollinator. If it is self-sterile, learn what other apple cultivars are best paired with that variety.
How long does it take for an apple tree to bear fruit?
The general rule of thumb is that apple trees begin to bear fruit three to four years after planting. However, this can vary significantly based on the growing conditions, the care you provide, the apple tree variety, cross-pollinators, and many other factors.
How do apple trees pollinate?
Apple trees pollinate in several ways: by self-fertilization, by natural cross-pollination, by human-led cross-pollination, and by grafting.
What is the result of apple tree care?
A healthy, bountiful fall harvest is the result of apple tree care.
How tall can a tree grow?
With good pruning, standard size trees can be planted at about 26 feet x 20 feet with 84 trees per acre; these trees will attain a height of about 24 feet. Semi-dwarfing rootstocks typically produce trees that are about 60% to 90% of standard size, with a height of about 14 feet to 22 feet, depending on the rootstock.
How tall are dwarf rootstocks?
Dwarfing rootstocks typically produce trees that are about 30% to 60% of the size of trees on seedling rootstocks, with a mature height of about 6 feet to 12 feet. Depending on the soil, scion cultivar, and training system, trees on dwarf rootstocks can be spaced at 20 feet x 14 feet (173 trees per acre ) to 14 feet x 4 feet (778 trees per acre).